Train chiefs have issued a stark warning after two people wandered into a railway tunnel and came within inches of death.

Shocking footage released by Translink on Tuesday shows a lifeguard at Downhill beach in Co Derry waving frantically as a train approaches the tunnel to warn the driver there is danger ahead.

The lifeguard sprang into action after seeing two people wander off the beach and into the pitch black tunnel. CCTV on the train shows the lifeguard raising the alarm as the train enters the tunnel. The two people can then be seen just to the left of the track as the train hurtles past.

A Translink spokesman told Belfast Live “they escaped being hit by the train and miraculously only received some scratches”.

And they using the incident to raise awareness of the dangers of wandering onto Translink property.

They say that between the beginning of April and the end of August this year there were 304 recorded incidents of pedestrian trespass, with locations such as Whiteabbey, Finaghy, Dunmurry and Antrim featuring in the list of hotspot areas.

Among the incidents are three youths playing chicken on the tracks at Meetinghouse Lane, Dunmurry and young males using the tracks as a shortcut at Bleach Green.

Mark Atkinson, Head of Civil Engineering at Translink said people are risking “life changing injuries or even death”.

He added: “Our trains travel at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour and if a driver has to apply the emergency brakes, it will take two thirds of a mile for the train to stop. In other words, not even the fastest athlete on the planet could outrun a train.

“During holiday periods, incidents of pedestrian trespass on the rail network unfortunately often increase. The network can look like a handy shortcut or a good place to play, but the risks are just not worth it.

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“Aside from the very obvious risks to life and wellbeing associated with trespass, every time we receive reports of pedestrians on the rail network, we have to apply a ‘caution’ or speed restriction of 5 mph to trains operating in the area until we are assured that the area is clear. This results in delays to services and impacts our passengers.”

Translink says they work closely with PSNI neighbourhood policing teams around Northern Ireland throughout the year to identify and prosecute trespassers.

Mr Atkinson added: “We would appeal to parents, guardians and teachers to remind young people in their care to never use the tracks as a shortcut or a playground.”